Images from our Sunday stroll...

 

At last, a return to what we expect...

 

After a lovely evening with friends last night, we returned just before curfew (9.00pm) and at last were able to appreciate our 'sitooterie' in lovely evening temperatures that allowed us to watch our solar lighting coming into its own in both the front and rear courtyards here at the Old Walnut Mill.

Vendredi à vélo...

 

The times they are a changin'

Hopefully today sees the change to the weather that will allow us to use our new 'sitooterie' well into the evening.

 

The water gatherer...

We decided to take down our 'sail' ,which is there for shade, for the moment as it had turned into a water gatherer during the recent wet spell! Hoping we will need it next week when the weather improves! 

Celebrating 'la rose'...

This weekend sees the welcome return of the 'Fete des Roses' at the pretty village of Chedigny  we hope the recent wild winds haven't done too much damage,our own roses here at the the cottage are holding up well.

 

Sunday stroll - under a cloud

 Well many actually! Need this spell of inclement weather to end in order to lift our spirits!

Weather forecasting - get some cows!

 

Pauline has been keeping her eye on the weather forecasts during this rather changeable spell, to try and find us walking slots. Yesterday morning was predicted to be dry with no rain until early afternoon - so off we went. As we got to the last part of the walk this herd of cows took to their heels and ran under the trees as if spooked. They knew what was coming! Within minutes we were under a huge black cloud and then the heavens opened up!

We arrived home a bit droochit but this is not an unfamiliar experience for us,being Scottish!. Anyway we got in our walk and enjoyed it just the same!

Back on the terrace...

Had our first lunch at the restaurant since last October yesterday, under 'normal' (what's that?) circumstances, might have been joined by a few of these peeps!

Face to face...

 

As we had to visit Loches yesterday we took advantage of our location to head over to Chedigny to have a look at the work of  Andre Sobas, an artist from Montresor who was exhibiting his work within 'Le Pressoir'. Took the opportunity to get these copies of some of his work, the detail.these are done by coloured ink in a fountain pen, is amazing. Check out more of his unique style here.

The village was looking great as it prepares for its Rose Festival at the end of the month.

Taxing experience? well actually no!

Filling out a tax return can be a daunting experience for some and throwing in doing it in a foreign language just multiplies the pain! This year here in France they have also made changes to it, just to make it more difficult! Anyway as many of you will know I 'don't do money' or finances - that role falls to Pauline who does an admirable job, although often wonder about that Swiss bank account (only joking Mr Taxman).

This year's form was however proving a little difficult, so as is our way, we made an appointment to speak to someone at the office des Impôts face to face, past experience has taught us not to take advantage of the English speaking help there but to do it in French.

Pauline had as ever, come fully prepared and as paperwork and questions passed through the awkward slot of the safety screen and we watched the form being completed on a second screen just for us, it was done,albeit in a little over our allotted 30minutes. It was impressive to watch! 

As we were driving home we did remark on how difficult it must be for anyone whose finances are 'complicated', luckily, ours are not.

It took a while but got there in the end!

We have at last finished our 'sitooterie' behind the barn here at the 'Old Walnut Mill' with the second load of chips going down. It was always something that we worked on outwith our rental season and when we were not busy with other projects. Guests were happy just using the courtyard and we only passed by on our way to our small potager . 

The project has been a lesson in recycling,the steps were a gift from the guys who were digging up the road to put the electricity cables underground,the little wall from the stones that came from reducing the wall height, the door was a toilet door at 'Les Balcons'.the window was from 'Le Bourg' double glazing project,the wall planters old wall lights from our neighbour,the slates and timber are from a demolition job at the 'La Guerche' project.

When the chips are down...

 

First load of gravel went on redoing the paths around the back garden.

I know how to show a girl a good time!

 

First load of two x 1.5 ton of gravel for the back paths and 'sitooterie' Pauline loading me carrying.

New cycle track at Descartes...

 Good to see the old railway line section at Descartes looking good for cyclists...should be good for tourism

Wall to wall roses in Descartes...

 

Have a good weekend everyone...

Couple of images from the gardens in Descartes - we managed a short walk there this week between showers!

 

Vendredi à vélo - has she gone too far?

 

In her attempt to make the courtyard at the Old Walnut Mill more enchanting Pauline ordered some more fairy-lights online. They duly arrived this week,the whole 100 mtrs of them! She thought they were solar,they were not, can you imagine the size of the panel that would be needed? Her idea was to take off the individual strings and use them as a continuous loop around the courtyard (a few times?) - now that would have been a fun challenge for me!

Little bit of upcycling and light gardening

Our neighbour was discarding these wall lights and I thought I might be able to use them over at 'the project' but decided against it so Pauline came up with this upcycling idea to use them here in Barrou.

 

Wednesday is for windows...the blue shutters.

 

At Chambon

Nature's gift that keeps on giving...

 

As we sit beneath our wall rose in the courtyard of the Old Walnut Mill we cannot help but admire nature that gives us this display every year...a joy!

Our Sunday stroll...in the pink at La Roche-Posay

 

Now the 10km restriction has been lifted we can venture further afield again. Yesterday,, with friends, we headed over to one of our favourite walks around La Roche-Posay. The walk takes us along the river, up onto the old railway viaduct and back via the former thermal spa, the 'Le Pavillon Rose', where we took a break  under the shade of the pavillon in the gardens.